Malden supports Employee Free Choice Act

Thursday

The City Council unanimously voted to back the legislation. City Councilor Michael Sheehan endorsed the act as a “significant move for unionized labor.”

“I certainly support this,” he said. ‘This is long, long overdue.”

The legislation has already been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives and will be voted on by the U.S. Senate at some point in the next month.

The legislation provides employees the opportunity to determine how they decide whether to form a union. The act also creates more significant penalties for any employer who legally interferes with worker’s attempts to organize.

Sheehan said the legislation is “extremely important as more and more employers take advantage of their workers.”

Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Greater Boston Labor Council (GBLC), Rich Rogers, came to Tuesday’s meeting to urge Malden councilors to back the legislation.

The GBLC is an association of more than 140 local unions, with jurisdiction over 24 communities in the greater Boston area — including Malden.

A major problem with union formation, and one factor in why the legislation is needed, according to Rogers, is that employers can intimidate and prevent workers from organizing without consequence. He also told the council that employers trying to hinder unionization sometimes use lengthy litigation as a way to deter groups from organizing.

“Our labor laws are broken. It’s all about stifling people’s voices,” he said.

Rogers and other supporters of the legislation have said the major benefits of unions can be higher wages and increased availability of health care for workers.

“The rich are getting richer,” Rogers said, adding that he believes unions will help workers have a better quality of life. “Given a level playing field, workers will surely join unions to create a better life for themselves and their families.”

Secretary-Treasurer of Service Employees Local 509 and Malden resident Stephen Lewis told the council that several employers run anti-union campaigns at the first signs of worker organization.

“This is what union members are up against. It’s very intimidating,” he said. “I am thrilled that the Malden City Council has made a strong statement on behalf of workers seeking unionization.”